Brassicas bed + crop rotation

ginvzt

I am thinking of making a brassicas bed:

• cauliflower
• cabbage
• broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• anything else?

The bed is about 2.4m by 0.8m, so all of these have to fit in there - probably only a few of each, or just a few varieties.

I love the Romanesco, so would like to grow that, but it looks like it is the one that probably needs the most space.

What varieties can you suggest from your own experience - it is a minefield out there!

How many plants should I be looking to put there? (spacing issue)

I am hoping to put all of them in one bed, so that I can cover them up and protect from the flies/butterflies, etc. Oh, and need to have a serious chat with the slugs as well.

I will have 4 beds in total of this size, and was going to follow River Cottage 'Veg Patch' book suggestion on crop rotation, so one bed of legumes, one bed of brassicas, one bed of potatoes/tomatoes/aubergines/peppers, one bed of roots. I will have smaller bed (half size) where I was going to try growing a pumpkin and squash. What do you think - is it an ok plan, or I need to go back to the drawing board?

Any suggestions welcome - I am very eager to grow things (I grew up with my grandma and mum growing the veg, and it is the first time I have a chance of my own to grow myself to this scale - I had some pots before).

ginvzt

Any suggestions on the varieties for the cabbage/cauliflower/etc?... Anyone?...

[Deleted User]

caulie are difficult
sprouts grow tall and need very firm soil. Will you be able to net that high?
I have sown cabbages duncan and hispi and a few red ones and will be planting about 18" apart (45cm?) It would be best to do a scale plan as you will fit fewer on than you think.
I have also sown broccoli seeds such as red arrow and rudolph, also kale and there are some dwarf varieties

go onto the seed seller sites such as marshalls and suttons and read up then look for seeds on ebay as they are cheaper

I have 4 rotations and 4 beds in each one and can fit hoops and net over each bed as the cabbage white is soul destroying as is bird damage and carrot root fly and leek moth and onion fly

[Deleted User]

Just trying to get my head around your measurements 0.8m is 32" and almost 8 feet long. My beds are all 4` x 8`and I have 4 for brassicas. I have drawn my beds and worked out spacings. You may get 6 small cabbages in your bed like duncan or hispi or 2 cabbages +2 kale + 2 broccoli

ginvzt

Thanks. We always used to grow cauliflower at home, and it never been that difficult?... Might give it a try. I have just checked how tall brussels grow, and I haven't thought they would be that tall!!!!! Will have to rethink that part.

I think I am still going to give a go for cauliflower - I just love it fresh from the garden.

Kittie, yes, in inches it is about 31-32 wide and 8 feet long. So, I guess you are right, that I might only be able to get 6 plants in that!!!! When you look at it this way, it feels a bit of a waste of space...